An ad hoc committee formed to combat algae at Waverly Beach will be off to a good start with people who genuinely want to make a difference, says a citizen member appointed to it.

Officially formed through a Fort Erie town council motion Monday night, the committee currently consists of four local residents and Couns. Kim Zanko, Stephen Passero and Chris Knutt.

Local politicians didn’t vote in favour of creating the group without scrutinizing the process before the question was called.

Mayor Wayne Redekop said it was his understanding that the committee would also consist of environmental experts, saying he is unaware of the backgrounds of the people placed onto it by council.

“My recollection is there was a hope there would be individuals with specified areas of expertise,” said Redekop.

“I don’t believe (the appointees) are anyone who has the credentials we hoped for,” he said.

Andrew Holdsworth is a resident of the neighbourhood and when he saw the Town of Fort Erie advertising positions to be filled on the committee, he filled out an application to get involved in a matter he has paid close attention to for many years, often communicating with councillors about the condition of the once-popular swimming hole that has been deemed unsafe for many consecutive summers.

“I don’t want to be someone who just complains about things — I see this as an opportunity to take action,” said Holdsworth, who is a systems operator at a Niagara Region pollution control facility.

Holdsworth travels the Friendship Trail with his wife and two young daughters on a regular basis to pick up garbage, instilling lessons about conservation and the importance of caring for the environment.

“It would just be nice if we could come down here and actually enjoy the beach,” he said.

Referring to concerns from the mayor about the level of knowledge shared between the citizen appointees, Ward 2 Coun. Passero said there is still one position that needs to be filled and, if necessary, the committee could go through municipal staff to recruit a certified expert.

“Maybe we’ll have to headhunt somebody to fill that position,” he said.

Ward 5 Coun. Don Lubberts doesn’t like the idea of forming this committee and not taking advantage of the municipality’s environmental advisory committee, the group he feels should be taking the lead on Waverly Beach.

“I’m disappointed with this whole process — we’re just slapping EAC in the face,” he said.

The responsibility of the committee will be to research initiatives and strategies to mitigate the accumulation of algae at Waverly Beach, reducing the impact algae can have on the public’s enjoyment of the park.

According to the report approved on Monday, the committee will determine the process by which it will achieve this mandate and report back to council.